Golf Maine Park Districts Offers Taekwon-Do Classes for All Ages

Taekwon-Do Classes Offered Twice a Week by World Class Instructor

Twice a week in Dee Park a world-class form of Korean self-defense is taught and practiced by boys and girls ages 7 to 15, and adults old enough to have Medicare cards and be collecting retirement benefits. These Taekwon-Do classes are led by Earl Weiss, an 8th degree black belt, who has taught and umpired matches across the United States and in international destinations such as Russia, Italy, Canada and Jamaica.

During the day, Weiss practices general law at a Skokie law firm, Levin & Rosen, Ltd. But, on Monday and Wednesday evenings he is called “Sa Hyun” which means Master Instructor by his three dozen dedicated students. In his 40+ year career, he has taught over 1,000 students. Very few of those have reached the coveted rank of Black Belt, he says.

“Many children and adults start to study martial arts such as Taekwon-Do but don’t realize how much dedication and hard work it takes to achieve the highest ranking levels,” he said. “For children, it usually takes about six years of regular training to reach Black Belt but some adults can do it in about four years.”

Weiss teaches what he describes as a grappling program utilizing some judo and jujitsu influences along with the program of Taekwon-Do prescribed by the United States Taekwon-Do Federation. He is one of only three or four instructors certified to teach this kind of program in the United States.

He knows about hard work from personal experience. He has studied various forms of the fighting arts since 1971 including judo, jujitsu, Hapkido and, of course, Taekwon-Do. Taekwon-Do was established in South Korea in 1955 by an Army General by the name of Choi. He named the fighting art and had it taught to the South Korean Army. Later he helped make Taekwon-Do well known first in Canada and then elsewhere in the world. The General came to the Golf Maine Park District in 2000 to teach a 3-day instructor course to over 100 Black Bets plus 100 other students. Photos of the General’s visit still hang at Dee Park.

“My greatest joy in teaching comes from seeing a student exceed his/her expectations,” Weiss says. “I compare our study and practice to that involved with a musical instrument. I tell the students that you cannot learn much and advance by only practicing once a week in class. I urge my students to practice at least 10-20 minutes every day to develop their skills.”

When properly taught, the study of martial arts can help a person develop character, confidence, self-discipline and physical fitness. Weiss teaches by showing, telling and touching to accommodate different kinds of learners. “I demonstrate a technique then tell them about it,” he says. “When necessary I move their feet, legs, hands and arms into the proper positions.”

Weiss is assisted by three senior instructors who are all certified Black Belts. GMPD residents can sign up for classes for $45 a month or $10 a day year round. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. for ages 7-15 years old and at 7:15 p.m. for adults at the Dee Park Recreational Center, Dee and Emerson Roads in unincorporated Des Plaines. Special offers for a free uniform and 2-for-1 deals are available.

For more information about Taekwon-Do classes or other GMPD activities and camps call 847-297-3000 or visit www.gmpd.org.